The interior of the workshop was dark as if has abandoned for ages. A stench of mold and burnt herbs spread out the moment Nikolai opened the door. He walked inside and allowed his eyes to adjust to the darkness.

“What brings you here?” A wilted face of a man appeared in front of him from the darkness. The old man’s wrinkles came in folds, each proving the years he had lived.

“Greetings, Master.” Nikolai nodded in courtesy. The man mellowed somewhat at Nikolai’s respectful greetings. “I have a meeting with Sergio, I have a few Painful Glees to sell.”

“That boy is still on with his crazy experiments!” The man huffed and shooed Nikolai away. “You’ll find him in one of the rooms.” The man disappeared into the darkness again.

Nikolai followed the light and peeked through the windows until he found his friend from a different life. Sergio was as focused on brewing as he has always been.

His hair was a mess, but it brought charm with its silver sheen. It sprawled to cover his forehead and only reveal his navy-blue eyes. In front of him were a cauldron, a furnace, sets of materials, and his precise hands that moved to extract the essence.

‘Truly, an artist.’ Nikolai sighed. His ability to manipulate probability granted him simple potions, but it worked little to make him an alchemist. This profession demanded time, knowledge, and most importantly: dedication. That’s why it was better to have a friend like Sergio.

“Hello,” Nikolai knocked on the door but the young Alchemist’s focus was unparalleled. Seeing him like this, Nikolai knew that talking to him was impossible right now.

Seeing this as a good hiding spot, Nikolai slumped to a chair nearby and watched his friend work. Sergio used mana to extract the essence of the herbs and materials. However, Nikolai frowned when he saw that Sergio was trying to combine an ice-essence with a fire-essence.

‘This crazy bastard is the same even when he’s seven years younger.’ Nikolai stood up and went to hide behind a giant desk. He slumped to the ground and waited for the explosion to happen.

Sergio didn’t disappoint him and after a few minutes, the room shook as glass flew everywhere. Nikolai sighed and stood up to find Sergio with his hand lacerated, a new scar added to many before it.

“Wait,” Nikolai strode forward and used a clamp to take the shards out of his hands. Sergio was groaning as sweat drops rolled down his face. “That’s what you get for combining fire and ice essence.”

“That’s the point!” Sergio said through gritted teeth, his face as black as coal. “If this destructive force can be amplified…”

“You want to amplify it further?” Nikolai gaped. “Do you want the old man to choke you to death?”

“…” Sergio clamped his mouth shut. “Wait…” He turned toward Nikolai with a frown. “Who are you and what are you doing here?” Sergio stared with wide eyes.

“I am…” Nikolai sighed at this clueless alchemist. “someone who wants to buy you.”

“I’m not into men.” Sergio backed away from Nikolai while defensively raising his arms. As he stared at Sergio, Nikolai wanted to vomit out blood for the first time in his new life.

After restraining himself from beating Sergio to a pulp, Nikolai proceeded to explain what he meant by buying. Sergio stared at him with doubt nonetheless.

“You want me to work for you?” Sergio judged him through his blue eyes. “Do you even have any money?” It seems he was doubtful of Nikolai’s age.

“How much money do you make per month here?” Nikolai asked with a smile. “Five Rosian coins?”

“… Three.” Sergio groaned. Nikolai was taken aback but Sergio explained the reason. “I break a lot of things, so I need to pay for them too.”

“Oh,” Nikolai chuckled. “I’ll give you ten silvers per month, excluding the materials you will use for the potions.”

“Are you serious?” Sergio’s eyes turned into the shape of silver coins. He grabbed Nikolai with his bandaged hands. “Lead the way, boss!”

“Your enthusiasm is frightening me.” Nikolai’s brows twitched. “You don’t have any debts, do you?” He feared people will be coming after him just because of this workaholic.

“None!” Sergio smiled proudly as he waved his hand. “Except for one gold coin, I’m debt free!” He said with such confidence and smugness that Nikolai needed to look at his face again.

‘Is this really the Genius Alchemist?’ Nikolai had some doubts about this. However, there was no mistaking it. Other than his knowledge and passion for potions, future-grandmaster-alchemist Sergio was nothing but an airhead.

“I’ll pretend to be dissatisfied about the prices of Painful Glees and storm out of here. Meet me at this clinic after you’re done.” Nikolai drew a quick map of the doctor he knew before turning to leave.

“Wait!” Sergio grabbed his wrist. Nikolai turned to see his eyes sparkling. “Do you really have Painful Glees?”

“Are you mad? Who would carry around those things?” Nikolai was speechless. “However, I promise to get you some in a while.”

Nikolai then put on a show of being dissatisfied before storming out. However, no one even paid attention to him. He went toward the clinic next to Hunters Street and knocked on its door.

“… You’re back.” The doctor stared at him silently. “That’s unexpected.”

“Is that kid here?” Nikolai asked before walking inside. The doctor pointed toward a closet that had its door open and Nikolai saw the kid sleeping inside.

“I don’t have any other rooms.” The doctor sighed. “He came here shaking, I had to sedate him. After that, he grew quiet. What happened?”

“He’s worried about his sister.” Nikolai studied the doctor’s expression. “Why didn’t you treat her?”

“It’s a curse, not a disease.” The doctor sighed. “I’m not an alchemist but a simple healer.”

“Did it look something like this?” Nikolai raised his shirt and revealed the curse Madness left on his body. The doctor’s eyes shook and nodded.

“How did this…” The doctor furrowed his brows. Nikolai shook his head and took off his shirt. The wounds were still bleeding through the bandages. “By the Gods, how can you even stand?”

The doctor panicked and hurried to bring his tools. He took out the shards from Nikolai’s body before using mana and herbs to heal his wounds.

All that was left was a raised fibrous tissue of where the wounds were. Nikolai traced them silently. He never had these marks before.

“Prepare some herbs for a friend of mine too.” Nikolai gave the doctor thirty coppers, enough to heal two people. “As for the kid’s sister, tell him I’ll take care of it when he wakes up.”